Frame-making method

ABSTRACT

Metallic frames for television tubes are formed by cutting chevron-shaped pieces from a sheet of metal, welding pairs of chevron pieces together to form generally rectangular frames having open central regions, and bending the outer peripheral region of the frames into a flange approximately perpendicular to the original plane of the frame.

United States Patent Gra et al. 5] Feb. 19, 1974 1 FRAME-MAKING METHOD 1,879,302 9/1932 Kelley 29/476 x [75] Inventors: Gordon C. Gray, Bath; Joseph F. Meade, JR; Carl Kohl, both of 3,163,930 1/1965 Stanley Hammondsport, all of NY. 3,305,998 2 1967 Deisenroth 3,516,147 6/1970 Seedorff et a]. [73] Asslgnee' gsg g ggg i fi z 3,584,371 6/1971 Schnepper 29 475 x I Primary ExaminerRichard B. Lazarus [22] Flled' 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmCumpston, Shaw & [21] Appl. No.: 311,919 Stephens Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 137,317, April 26, 1971, ABSTRACT abandoned.

Metalllc frames for televlslon tubes are formed by cut- 52 U.S. Cl 29/471.1 29/476 29/480 ting chevron'shaped Pieces mm a Sheet 0f meta" 1137116 welding pairs of chevron pieces together to form gen- [51] Int. Cl B23k 31/02 erally rectangular frames having open central regions 5 f Search and bending the outer peripheral region Of the frames 29l251 1 11371 16HA 20 into a flange approximately perpendicular to the original plane of the frame.

[56] References Cited 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures O PATENTEDFEBI9I9-74 v 3.792.522

SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG. 5 v

7 INVESTORS GORDON C. GRAY JOSEPH F.. MEADE BY CARZ O. KOHL 'AW ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEB19|9Y4 3.792.522

' sum 2 or 2 FIG. 8

FIG. 9

INVENTORS GORDON c. GRAY JOSEPH F MEADE BY: CARL O. KOHL ATTORNEYS FRAME-MAKING METHOD RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation of application Ser. 137,317, filed Apr. 26, 1971 and now abandoned.

INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT The invention involves recognition of an improved and more economical method of forming frames for television picture tubes to meet all the requirements in a more efficient and economical manner. The invention aims at economy, accuracy, reliability and elimination of waste and defective parts in improving on methods ofmaking frames for television tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive method for making metallic frames for television picture tubes includes cutting a plurality of generally chevron-shaped pieces from a sheet of metal, welding pairs of pieces together to form generally rectangular frames having open central regions, and then bending the outer peripheral region of each of the frames into a flange approximately perpendicular to the original plane of the frame. Such a method allows use of less expensive material, requires less shutdown and supply roll changing time for each machine, allows formation of accurate, right-angled corners and efficiently meets all the requirements for shape and accuracy in television picture tube frames.

DRAWING according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another alternative cutting pattern for the inventive method;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a frame partially constructed according to the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a frame completed according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Two basic methods have been used previously for constructing frames for television tubes. One is punching out a rectangular blank of the desired size from a flat sheet of material so as to waste a relatively large slug from the center of each frame, and the other is forming frames by shaping and bending relatively long and narrow strips into the desired final shape. The latter method is exemplified by US. Pat. No. 3,516,147 and various forms of the narrow strip method are currently most popular. However, supply rolls of long, narrow, strip material are relatively expensive and are quickly exhausted. Also, present requirements for right-angle corners in television frames are difficult to meet by bending narrow strips into a frame.

The inventive method uses relatively wide strips or sheets of metal that are less expensive per pound than narrow strips, and yet eliminate the waste and expense of discarding an internal slug. Also, the inventive cutting pattern allows many more frames to be formed from a single supply roll to reduce lost time in supply roll changeover.

A plurality of closely-spaced, generally chevronshaped pieces 10 are cut successively from a supply strip 11 as shown in FIG. 1. and pairs of pieces 10 are welded together at weld lines 12, as shown in FIG. 2, to form generally rectangular frames 15 having open central regions 13. The outer peripheral regions of frames 15 are then bent into flanges 14 approximately perpendicular to the original plane of frames 15 as shown in flat or plane condition inFIG. 2'. The bending up of flanges 14 produces a frame 15 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

At the same time that flanges 14 are formed, internal bevels or dished edges 16 can be formed as illustrated in FIG. 4, and the inner periphery of frame 15 around opening 13 can be trimmed as desired. In addition, frames 15 can be stretched to a uniform, accurate shape as desired, or formed into a dished shape if necessary. Welds 12 are preferably cleaned before the frames are completed, and final trimming and shaping is preferably included.

FIG. 5 shows somewhat differently shaped pieces 20 cut from. sheet or strip 21 to have curved ends resulting in rounded flanges of reduced height at the corners of the final frame. Chevron pieces 22 having unequal length legs are cut from strip 23 as shown in FIG. 6 and welded together along weld lines 24 as shown in FIG. 7 to form rectangular frames 25 equivalent to frames 15 as shown in FIG. 2. Flange forming,.trimming, and shaping operations as previously described are preferred for completing frames 25.

FIGS. 8 10 show the cutting and forming of a somewhat different shaped frame 30 formed of pieces 26 cut from strip 27 as illustrated in FIG. 8 and welded together along weld lines 29 as shown in FIG. 9. Flanges 31 are bent back approximately perpendicular to the original plane of frames 30 as illustrated in FIG. 10 to form the general desired shape of frames 30. Cleaning, trimming, forming the inner peripheral edge of frames 30, and other finishing operations complete frames 30.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive method uses moreeconomical material, reduces waste of material, and results in accurately-sized and properly shaped frames meeting current needs including right angle corners. The reduction of waste, saving of material, and efficiency of operation make the inventive method extremely valuable compared to prior art methods.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will understand how to adapt the inventive method to various television picture tube frame requirements as to size, shape, accuracy and function.

We claim:

1. A method of making metallic frames for television tubes, said method comprising:

a. cutting a plurality of generally flat, chevronshaped pieces from a flat sheet of metal so that each of said chevron-shaped pieces has a corner portion and portions extending away from said corner portion at approximately right angles to each other,

b. welding the end regions of pairs of said chevron- 3. The method of claim 1 including forming the inner peripheral region of said frames into a desired shape.

4. The method of claim 1 including stretching said frames to a uniform, accurate shape.

5. The method of claim 1 including forming said frames into a desired dished shape.

6. The method of claim 1 including trimming the inner periphery of said frames. 

1. A method of making metallic frames for television tubes, said method comprising: a. cutting a plurality of generally flat, chevron-shaped pieces from a flat sheet of metal so that each of said chevron-shaped pieces has a corner portion and portions extending away from said corner portion at approximately right angles to each other; b. welding the end regions of pairs of said chevron-shaped pieces together to form generally flat rectangular frames having open central regions; and c. bending the outer peripheral region of each of said frames into a flange approximately perpendicular to the original plane of said frames.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said sheet is approximately the width of said chevron-shaped pieces.
 3. The method of claim 1 including forming the inner peripheral region of said frames into a desired shape.
 4. The method of claim 1 including stretching said frames to a uniform, accurate shape.
 5. The method of claim 1 including forming said frames into a desired dished shape.
 6. The method of claim 1 including trimming the inner periphery of said frames. 